It appears B&O Play has decided to take noise canceling more seriously.
Mid-June saw the launch of B&O Play's latest product - the B&O Beoplay E4, a pair of noise canceling in-ears. It looks similar to the BeoPlay H3 ANC launched 2 years back but sports some significant upgrades. Let's have a closer look at the differences.
Type - Noise Canceling In-Ears
Price - USD 249 / EUR 249
What's The Big Deal?
1. Upgraded Active Noise Canceling (ANC)
B&O Play touts this as the next generation ANC with its hybrid ANC tech so it remains to be seen if it really holds up. We experienced decent noise canceling (though not at the mind-numbing level) from the H3 ANC where we pitted it in a shootout against the Bose QuietComfort 20 and Sony MDR-EX750NA. Expect the E4 to improve on this.
Read - Noise Canceling Immersion - The Verdict
2. Transparency Mode
This mode allows users to stop the music and hear environmental sound instantly, a feature sorely missing from its predecessor. The toggle to turn on the ANC now doubles in activating the transparency mode.
3. Streamlined Battery Pack
The H3 ANC's battery was a thick circular piece whereas the Beoplay E4 now steamlines this into a slimmer rectangular frame. However, there's no change to the battery life or behaviour. It still lasts for 20 hours with ANC activated and takes 2.5 hours to charge.
4. What Else?
The in-line remote is now clad in a more sturdy anodized aluminum and features three clearly delineated playback buttons. The effective Comply Foam Isolation tips (T-200) will still be included, thankfully so. The Beoplay E4's cord is now a little shorter at 1.3m though the overall weight of the full cord is increased to 50g (from 40g).
Pricing and Availability
The B&O Beoplay E4 is now available worldwide in Black at USD 249 / EUR 249.
If you are in Singapore, it retails for SGD 379 and is sold at Bang & Olufsen Grand Hyatt and Takashimaya stores.
Mid-June saw the launch of B&O Play's latest product - the B&O Beoplay E4, a pair of noise canceling in-ears. It looks similar to the BeoPlay H3 ANC launched 2 years back but sports some significant upgrades. Let's have a closer look at the differences.
Type - Noise Canceling In-Ears
Price - USD 249 / EUR 249
What's The Big Deal?
1. Upgraded Active Noise Canceling (ANC)
B&O Play touts this as the next generation ANC with its hybrid ANC tech so it remains to be seen if it really holds up. We experienced decent noise canceling (though not at the mind-numbing level) from the H3 ANC where we pitted it in a shootout against the Bose QuietComfort 20 and Sony MDR-EX750NA. Expect the E4 to improve on this.
Read - Noise Canceling Immersion - The Verdict
2. Transparency Mode
This mode allows users to stop the music and hear environmental sound instantly, a feature sorely missing from its predecessor. The toggle to turn on the ANC now doubles in activating the transparency mode.
3. Streamlined Battery Pack
The H3 ANC's battery was a thick circular piece whereas the Beoplay E4 now steamlines this into a slimmer rectangular frame. However, there's no change to the battery life or behaviour. It still lasts for 20 hours with ANC activated and takes 2.5 hours to charge.
4. What Else?
The in-line remote is now clad in a more sturdy anodized aluminum and features three clearly delineated playback buttons. The effective Comply Foam Isolation tips (T-200) will still be included, thankfully so. The Beoplay E4's cord is now a little shorter at 1.3m though the overall weight of the full cord is increased to 50g (from 40g).
Pricing and Availability
The B&O Beoplay E4 is now available worldwide in Black at USD 249 / EUR 249.
If you are in Singapore, it retails for SGD 379 and is sold at Bang & Olufsen Grand Hyatt and Takashimaya stores.